Nadezhda Survive Scare, Hold Off Schio

Dewanna Bonner collected her fifth double-double in eight games

A relieved Nadezhda returned to winning ways in EuroLeague Women Group B, after surviving a late scare to eventually claim a hard-fought 65-61 success against injury-hit Schio.

The visitors, who were once again without Italian national team playmaker Giorgia Sottana and veteran wing Laura Macchi, initially looked like they were going to be blown away in Orenburg after a terrible start.

They leaked 32 points during a lifeless opening period when Nadezhda ran rampant to open up a 13-point lead after ten minutes.

Then, when the home side stretched their advantage to a commanding 48-28, the result never looked to be in any serious doubt.

However, showing why they came into the contest as Group leaders, Schio displayed real heart and resilience with a magnificent comeback during the second-half which left Nadezhda rattled.

Still trailing 59-46, Schio moved up a gear and caught Nadezhda napping to score nine unanswered points at the start of the fourth quarter.

They continued their revival to such an extent that having been down by 20 points, they made it a one-shot game at 61-59, helped by a frustrated Dewanna Bonner losing her discipline and being handed a technical foul.

But, a sweet jump-shot by Natalia Zhedik brought Nadezhda back to life just when it mattered most, and subsequent free throws by Zane Tamane made the game safe.

Bonner finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, whilst Danielle McCray and Jantel Lavender combined for 34 points for Schio who fell to only their second loss of the season.

Quotes Nadezhda Orenburg vs. Famila Schio

Nadezhda head coach Alexander Kovalev:
"It was a hard game and I am really happy to have won it. We have been on a long tour - for two weeks. Of course all the players got tired and also there were some traumas. We didn't have enough energy for the last two periods - it was the fatigue that we got in our away matches. Fortunately we have won. My congratulations to all players and fans of our team!"

Nadezhda player Renee Montgomery:
"We knew that it would be a hard game. After four difficult away games it isn't quite easy to find enough energy. Our opponent today is the leader in the group, so we knew that it must be a tough game for our team. That's why we focused all our energy and emotions on one thing - we really needed this victory."

Famila Schio head coach Maurizio Lasi:
"It was very pleasant to see Nadezhda's coach in a good shape! And unfortunately for us to see his team in a good shape, too. We didn't do what we were expected to do, but I have no complaints - the team gave all their energy and power in the match. My congratulations to Nadezhda, the coaches and fans on the victory!"

Famila Schio player Jantel Lavender:
"Orenburg has got a very strong team. They demonstrated it in the very first part of the game. We tried to gain Nadezhda's score but didn't succeed. We had many turnovers and we missed the basket many times in the crucial moments of the game."

Quotes Nadezhda Orenburg vs. Famila Schio

Nadezhda head coach Alexander Kovalev:
"It was a hard game and I am really happy to have won it. We have been on a long tour - for two weeks. Of course all the players got tired and also there were some traumas. We didn't have enough energy for the last two periods - it was the fatigue that we got in our away matches. Fortunately we have won. My congratulations to all players and fans of our team!"

Nadezhda player Renee Montgomery:
"We knew that it would be a hard game. After four difficult away games it isn't quite easy to find enough energy. Our opponent today is the leader in the group, so we knew that it must be a tough game for our team. That's why we focused all our energy and emotions on one thing - we really needed this victory."

Famila Schio head coach Maurizio Lasi:
"It was very pleasant to see Nadezhda's coach in a good shape! And unfortunately for us to see his team in a good shape, too. We didn't do what we were expected to do, but I have no complaints - the team gave all their energy and power in the match. My congratulations to Nadezhda, the coaches and fans on the victory!"

Famila Schio player Jantel Lavender:
"Orenburg has got a very strong team. They demonstrated it in the very first part of the game. We tried to gain Nadezhda's score but didn't succeed. We had many turnovers and we missed the basket many times in the crucial moments of the game."